Mummy Monday: Meet The Blessed Antonio Franco of Naples

Portrait of the Beato Antonio Franco 

In preparation for this summer's field school, we will now be posting a weekly blurb about the mummies that we will be meeting later this year. To kick off our aptly named Mummy Monday series, let's meet the first mummy that students will encounter upon their arrival in Santa Lucia this July.

Meet the late Monsignor Antonio Franco who lived from 1585 to 1626 and is interred within the Basilica of Santa Lucia del Mela. This individual was beatified in 2013. In life, he spent much of his time in Santa Lucia del Mela, the Sicilian town where we will be spending much of our time during the MSFS this summer. The Blessed Antonio Franco was born in Naples to a noble family on September 26th, 1585. He studied law, receiving a doctorate, and later moved to Rome to further his studies. He was ordained into the priesthood and was named a royal chaplain by King Phillip III on January 14th, 1611. Five years later, he was appointed as the major chaplain of the Kingdom of Sicily, an appointment that came with the Prelature of Santa Lucia del Mela. He was formally installed in this appointment by 1617. He was known as a holy man who wore two chains at all times, ate little, and slept on the floor. He died at age 40 and his remains were deemed to be incorruptible. In 2011, Pope Benedict XVI declared Antonio Franco to be Venerable, saying he had lived a virtuous life. The following year, the pope approved a decree that ratified the existence of a miracle, which led to Antonio Franco's beatification. He was beatified by Cardinal Angelo Amato on September 2nd, 2013. Prior to the beatification, the mummy was restored by forensic anthropologist, Dario Piombino-Mascali and restorer Jens Klocke.

The restored mummy of the Beato Antonio Franco.

Mummy Profile: The Blessed Antonio Franco

Lived: 1585-1626 

Portrait of the Beato Antonio Franco

Sex: Male

Occupation in Life: Monsignor

Status: Beatified

Age at Death: 40

Cause of Death: Unspecified

Place of Interment: The Basilica of Santa Lucia del Mela

Societal Importance in Death: Mummy of Religious Significance

When Students Will Meet This Mummy: On the first day of the field school.

The body of the Blessed Antonio Franco coming back to Saint Lucia del Mela on September 15th, 2013,

after the beatification ceremony that took place in the Cathedral of Messina.